William Powell calls for clarity over cancelled orthopaedic operations at Hywel Dda

October 21, 2013 4:05 PM

William Powell, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, has called for clarity following UNISON's claims thatall planned orthopedic surgery for the four main hospitals in the Hywel Dda Health Board area have been cancelled until April 2014.

William Powell has asked an urgent question to the Health Minister to be answered in the National Assembly tomorrow.

William Powell AM said:

"Many patients in Mid and West Wales have already been forced to wait around 15 months until the start of their treatment. It is shocking that many of these people may now have their surgery delayed further by five or six months. We need to be told how long these delays will actually be.

"The Welsh Labour Government and local health boards seem surprised that winter comes around every year. Cold weather and snow can cause difficulties in the NHS but proper planning would ensure that patients are treated all year round.

"Many people who are waiting for orthopedic surgery often have to endure months in pain. It is not right that they have to wait even longer because of the Welsh Labour government's incompetence. This is not an acceptable way to run a National Health Service.

"Only last week Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, raised her concerns with the First Minister that our NHS is going to seriously struggle over the coming months due to winter pressures, something the First Minister denied. Once again he's been proven wrong. His Welsh Labour Government needs to get a grip.

"I have submitted an Urgent Question that will hopefully be answered in the National Assembly tomorrow. People in my region need clarification on what is actually happening."